Compassion in Action
Beary Special Gifts for Camp
For the 4- to 6-year-old children who attend Tot Lot, going away to camp is a big step. That’s why we give each Tot Lot camper his or her very own Bed Buddy – a stuffed animal they can hug at night if they feel lonely or nervous. Their new friend is theirs to keep, a joyful reminder of the fun-filled week they spent at camp.This summer, Tot Lot campers will have very special Bed Buddies – bears hand crafted by the members of AT&T TelecomPioneers. Members of this national volunteer group’s two Kansas City area chapters have created and donated 100 bears and pillows to City Union Mission.
“It gives us a lot of satisfaction,” says Marvie Shoemake, a retired AT&T assistant engineer and club member. “We all enjoy the fact that the bears are going someplace that appreciates them.”
As they gather to craft bears for the Mission, the club members are also raising valuable funds for our ministry by taking advantage of a generous AT&T grant program. When a team of AT&T volunteers donate 100 hours for an organization, AT&T contributes $500 to that organization. So far, the Mission has received $2,500 in grants from AT&T, thanks to the work of the AT&T Pioneers.
